Lawmakers must prioritize good policy over destructive politics

The federal government remains shut down. Folks are not receiving crucial SNAP benefits, federal workers and contractors are not getting paid, ACA premiums will skyrocket for entrepreneurs and their employees on the marketplace, and air traffic delays are impacting travel. While the government shutdown is causing unnecessary pain, politicians have not come together and opened the government.

In Illinois, politicians concluded their legislative year during the fall veto session, and they did not do nearly enough to support small businesses. Chicago small businesses face significant issues, including a proposed budget that will make doing business more expensive and difficult.

This is a challenging time for the small business community. However, we are optimistic because small business owners and advocates are getting increasingly involved and engaged. We understand the key to advancing policies that impact small businesses is formulating solutions and engaging in grass-roots advocacy. The challenges facing the small business community transcend party lines and affiliation. My next few columns will focus on nonpartisan, common-sense policies and how to move them forward.

This piece focuses on health insurance. I argued last month the ACA enhanced premium tax credits should be extended because otherwise, entrepreneurs and their employees could face crippling hikes in their health insurance premiums. Simply extending these enhanced tax credits, however, does not get to the root of the problem, which is the excessive cost of small group health insurance. Small business owners and their employees deserve affordable, quality health insurance options.

There is not enough competition in the small group health insurance market. Congress should pass legislation that allows small businesses to join together and purchase health insurance. There could certainly be geographic or industry constraints on small business association plans. However, allowing small businesses to form a larger pool will provide them far more negotiating power with insurance companies and providers. This can result in lower premiums and better coverage. Health insurance association plans may not be for every small business but can provide them with a valuable option.

The high cost of certain prescription drugs drive up the cost of health insurance. Congress should also pass legislation that puts guard rails around the huge amount of money drug companies spend on television advertising and redirect those savings toward affordability and lower insurance costs. And aren’t we all tired of these drug company commercials anyways?

Stabilizing the cost of health insurance for small businesses and their employees will be difficult. However, the system is not working right now, and prompt action needs to be taken. The proposals above are a start, but it will take real and sincere engagement by policymakers, and the collaboration of all stakeholders to tackle an issue that is having such profound implications.

Politicians are elected to pass legislation that supports and protects their constituents. We will continue providing policymakers with legislation that does just that, and together, we can remind them to prioritize good public policy over destructive politics.

• Elliot Richardson is co-founder and president of the Small Business Advocacy Council.